Nigeria TV Info 

Why Africa Must Use Its Mineral Resources for Industrialisation, by Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has emphasized that Africa must leverage its vast mineral wealth to drive industrialization and economic transformation. Speaking at the African Mining and Energy Conference in Addis Ababa, Alake said the continent can no longer afford to remain a supplier of raw materials to developed nations while importing finished goods at high costs.

He noted that Africa’s abundant mineral resources — including lithium, cobalt, gold, copper, and iron ore — present a golden opportunity for the continent to establish industries that will create jobs, enhance local content, and strengthen intra-African trade.

Alake called for collaboration among African nations to develop processing plants and refineries, stressing that value addition would help increase revenue and reduce dependence on foreign economies. He urged African leaders to implement policies that encourage investment in local manufacturing, technology transfer, and skills development to harness the full potential of the continent’s mineral sector.

He concluded by saying that the time has come for Africa to redefine its economic destiny by transforming its natural wealth into industrial power.